How Do I Caulk a Shower Door?

Old shower door caulk can start to look dingy when mold and mildew begin to build up. You will need to remove the old caulk to apply a fresh new layer to your shower door. With a little patience and some masking tape, you can caulk your shower door like a professional. Purchase tub and shower caulk at the hardware store. This type of caulk has a mildewcide that makes it more resistant to mildew attack.

  • ¾-inch wide masking tape
  • Tub and shower silicone caulk
  • Caulking gun
  • Bowl
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent
  • Water
Mask the area around the joints with ¾-inch wide masking tape. Place the tape on the top of the tub ¼-inch away from the shower door rail. Press the tape firmly against the tub as you apply the tape. Mask the shower door rail with the masking tape ¼-inch away from the tub. Press the masking tape firmly against the door. This will leave the corner between the shower door and the top of the tub exposed.

Repeat the masking tape process along both side rails and the wall. The masking tape must firmly against the wall and the shower rails. After masking off each side of the shower door frame and the bottom rail, run your finger along the edges of the tape closest to the joints you are caulking. This will ensure that no silicone gets under the tape.

Apply a ½-inch bead of tub and shower silicone caulk to the joints with a caulking gun. Start at the top of each side rail and work down to the top of the tub. Gently run your fingertip along the corner to smooth out the bead to be uniform along the entire joint.

Apply the caulk to the joint at the top of the tub and bottom shower door rail. Make the caulk uniform along the entire length of the joint.

Carefully remove the masking tape from the tub, walls and shower rails. Mix a small 50/50 solution of liquid dish soap and water together in a bowl.

Place two fingers in the bowl of solution and gently press down the sides of the caulking where the caulking met the masking tape. The dish soap will lubricate your finger so the caulking does not stick to them. Allow the caulk to dry for 24-hours before using the shower.

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